Big Ten Midweek Recap: Michigan Keeps Rolling, Maryland Stuns Iowa, and Ohio State Finds Its Groove
The Big Ten continues to deliver drama, depth, and a few surprises as we roll through February. Michigan once again reminded everyone why they’re a national title threat, Maryland pulled off a statement win at home, and Ohio State showed what they’re capable of when everything clicks. Meanwhile, Washington’s struggles persisted, even against a beatable opponent.
Let’s break down the key matchups from this week’s Big Ten action:
Maryland 77, Iowa 70
This one turned heads.
Maryland snapped Iowa’s six-game winning streak in a game that saw the Terrapins outlast one of the nation’s premier three-point shooting teams. Andre Mills was the tone-setter with 24 points, while David Coit came off the bench and poured in 19 of his own.
Both guards caught fire in the second half, and their shot-making down the stretch was the difference.
Iowa, usually deadly from deep, went ice cold when it mattered most-missing 10 straight threes late in the game. For a team that lives and dies by the perimeter, that drought proved costly. The Hawkeyes couldn’t capitalize on Maryland’s mistakes, and now they’ll have to regroup quickly with Purdue and Nebraska next on the schedule.
As for Maryland, this was the kind of win that can shift a season. The Terps showed grit, balance, and timely execution-three things that had been missing in earlier games. Don’t pencil them in as an easy out anymore.
Ohio State 89, USC 82
When Ohio State’s core is clicking, they look like a team that can do real damage in March.
The Buckeyes got a strong night from Bruce Thornton, who scored 21 points and hit clutch free throws late to seal the win. Devin Royal added 19 points and 7 boards, giving Ohio State the kind of frontcourt punch they’ve been searching for.
But this game wasn’t without its challenges. Alijah Arenas continued his scoring tear for USC, dropping 25 points to go with 3 steals and 3 assists.
The freshman phenom has been a bright spot for the Trojans, but once again, he didn’t get enough help. That’s been the story too often for USC this season-Arenas delivers, but the supporting cast can’t keep up.
Ohio State’s formula here was simple but effective: get the ball to their playmakers and let them go to work. If they can bottle this version of themselves and bring it consistently, the Buckeyes could be a tough out in the Big Ten tournament.
No. 2 Michigan 87, Northwestern 75
Michigan continues to look like a team built for a deep March run. But this win over Northwestern didn’t come easy.
The Wolverines fell behind by 16 early, as the Wildcats came out firing and caught Michigan flat-footed. For a stretch, Michigan looked out of sorts-disjointed on both ends and a step behind.
Then the switch flipped.
The Wolverines dominated the second half, using their depth and energy to completely turn the tide. L.J. came off the bench and led the team with 18 points, while Yaxel Lendeborg posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. That kind of production from the second unit is what separates great teams from good ones.
Northwestern showed once again they can start hot, but finishing games has been their Achilles’ heel. Against a team like Michigan, you can’t afford to let your foot off the gas. The Wolverines made them pay.
Penn State 63, Washington 60
This was a grind-it-out game, and Penn State found just enough to get across the finish line.
The Nittany Lions shot efficiently-48% from the field and 38% from three-and their defense came up big with 9 steals. Despite matching Washington with 12 turnovers, Penn State’s ability to capitalize on their defensive stops made the difference.
Hannes Steinbach was the standout for Washington. He posted a monster line: 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
But outside of Steinbach, the Huskies just didn’t have the firepower. Even with a more favorable stretch of the schedule, Washington continues to struggle to close games and generate consistent offense outside of their star.
Big Ten Takeaways
Michigan continues to look like the class of the conference-and maybe the country. Their depth, resilience, and ability to flip a game in a matter of minutes is what makes them so dangerous.
Ohio State showed flashes of what they can be when their stars lead the way. If they can string together performances like this, they’ll be a team no one wants to face in March.
Maryland’s win over Iowa was one of the biggest surprises of the week. It wasn’t just that they won-it was how they did it, with clutch shooting and defensive toughness. That’s a statement win for the Terps.
And for Iowa, this loss stings. A cold shooting night exposed their reliance on the three, and with a brutal schedule ahead, they’ll need to recalibrate fast.
As for Washington, the Huskies are still searching for answers. Even with standout performances from their top players, the supporting cast hasn’t stepped up-and that’s keeping them stuck in neutral.
The Big Ten is heating up, and with every game, the stakes get higher. Buckle up.